St. Casimir of Poland, Pious Prince and Miracle Worker

Optional Memorial - March 4th 

(In 2018, this feast is superseded by the Sunday liturgy.) 

This patron saint of Poland, Lithuania, and Russia made his mark on the hearts of his people even during his teenage years. Though born into high nobility in 1458, Saint Casimir, third child and second son of the King of Poland, never sought worldly honors or wealth. He is often depicted in iconography as having three hands, which is meant to emphasize his exceptional generosity toward the poor.

While Casimir was known to be particularly pious and disciplined, there is no doubt that his education at the hands of a Polish priest named Jan Dlugosz helped develop these traits even further. Dlugosz was strict and conservative in his teaching, and emphasized ethics, morality, and religious devotion in his young pupils (both Casimir and his brother Vladislaus II were entrusted to his care). As a result, Casimir spent long nights in prayer, often sleeping on the ground as a form of mortification. He had a great devotion to Mary and dedicated himself early on to a life of celibacy. He maintained that resolve even when his father later arranged a marriage for him to the daughter of the emperor of Germany.

At the age of thirteen, Casimir’s father, King Casimir IV, sent his young son to neighboring Hungary to take over the throne there from King Mahias Corvinus. This was done at the request of some Hungarian noblemen who were dissatisfied with Corvinus’ rule, but the result was not what they intended. Casimir’s army fell victim to food shortages and disease, and many desertions as winter approached. Finding himself greatly outnumbered by Corvinus’ army, Casimir returned to Poland without having carried out his father’s mission. The elder Casimir was so annoyed at his son’s failure that he confined the boy for three months at the castle of Dzoki as punishment. Casimir decided he had had enough of war. He renounced bloodshed, and instead, devoted himself to greater piety and study.

It was not the end of his political involvement, however. In 1479, when the elder Casimir was called away from Poland to settle affairs in Lithuania, he left young Casimir in charge of the government. According to his contemporaries, the prince executed his administrative duties with great prudence and justice, showing magnanimity towards his enemies. All the while, Casimir remained exceptionally aware of the urgent needs of the poor and the less unfortunate under his rule.

In 1484, Casimir’s fasting and self-denial finally took its toll. He would contract a severe lung disease that was probably tuberculosis. In his increasingly weakening state, Casimir was unable to withstand his illness and subsequently died on his way to Lithuania on March 4, 1484. He was 23 years old when born into eternity.

Ironically, for the young man who renounced war, one of the miracles attributed to him involved the Lithuanian army. According to the story, in 1518, soldiers were on their way to the city of Polotsk to relieve the siege imposed there by the Grand Duchy of Moscow. Casimir miraculously appeared before the Lithuanian troops to show them where they could safely cross the Danube River and thus accomplish their mission. Hearing of this miracle, Casimir’s brother, Sigismund I, then King of Poland, petitioned the pope for Casimir’s canonization. Pope Adrian VI declared Casimir a saint. His feast day is still celebrated in the city of Vilnius, where he is buried. St. Casimir of Poland, help us to immitate Christ in all things!